Safeguarding
St Michael’s C of E (A) Infant School Safeguarding Statement
St Michael’s C of E (A) Infant School recognises the important responsibility for Safeguarding and Promoting the Welfare of Children. The school’s policy applies to the whole of the school’s workforce, along with volunteers, governors, school club providers and any contractors working on the school site. In particular, staff recruitment and selection – ensuring that all staff, volunteers etc. have been appropriately checked for their suitability, using the Safer Recruitment procedures. In addition:
- Raising awareness of safeguarding issues and equipping children with the skills to keep them safe.
- Developing and implementing procedures and training for identifying and reporting cases, or suspected cases, of abuse.
- Supporting pupils who have been abused, in accordance with an agreed, child-centred plan.
- Establishing a safe and nurturing environment, free from discrimination or bullying, where children can learn and develop happily.
Sometimes we may need to share information and work in partnership with other agencies when there are concerns about a child’s welfare. We will ensure that our concerns about our pupils are discussed with their parents/carers first, unless we have a reason to believe that such a move would be contrary to the child’s welfare.
Our Designated Safeguarding Team is:
Lead – Mrs Nicola Cleather
Deputy – Mrs Vickie Leney
With support from Mrs Gayle Priestley (Online Safety)
As a Surrey School we work closely with Surrey County Council who provide us with training, resources and information as well as monitoring and auditing our safeguarding provision.
Education safeguarding
Safeguarding children and young people is everyone’s responsibility. However, school and education staff play a unique role due to their frequent contact with children and families and the relationships that develop over time. The Education Safeguarding Team provides advice, information and guidance to education settings on their safeguarding arrangements and practice. Our aim is to support education staff with the knowledge and skills to protect every child and young person in Surrey from harm, support them to develop their potential and to create an environment where they feel safe to learn.
Who to contact if you have concerns for a child or young person
If you are a parent/carer or member of the public
If you are worried about a child, please contact the Children’s Single Point of Access on 0300 470 9100. In an emergency, please phone 999.
If you are a parent/carer and would like advice or support about your child’s education, please telephone the Contact Centre on 0300 200 1004 or email.
Keeping Children Safe in Schools and Colleges
In order to safeguard children whilst in education all staff, volunteers and governors are expected to comply with the requirements of the current Department for Education guidance – Government guidance
There are several safeguarding topics covered in this guidance
- Children missing from education
- Children with family members in prison
- Child sexual exploitation
- Child criminal exploitation
- Domestic abuse
- Homelessness
- So-called ‘honour-based’ abuse
- Preventing radicalisation
- Child on child abuse
- Sexual violence and sexual harassment between children in schools and colleges
Surrey County Council are committed to working to reduce the impact of Domestic Abuse, Substance Misuse and Mental Health Issues on children and young people in our schools and colleges.
More information about these important issues can be found on the website page or in the useful links below.
Useful Links
Karma Nirvana – for support with Honour Based Abuse and Forced Marriage
Surrey Against Domestic Abuse – Support with Domestic Abuse
Prevent working together to prevent terrorism
Centrepoint – Support with homelessness
PACT – Support for children with a family member in prison
UK Safer Internet – for information and support around internet safety
Partnership with Parents
We believe that parental support is vital to a child’s education. Parents know their child better than anybody and in the early days at school we need to share that information.
The partnership process begins before children start school. Parents/carers are invited to meetings in the summer term their child starts school to meet staff and explore the practical routines of life at school and find out a bit more about the curriculum. The children are invited to a series of play sessions to meet their teacher and the other children who will be starting school with them. These visits are fun and friendly.
Once a child has joined the school we continue to provide support that parents appreciate.
Ofsted reported on parents’ views:
“Staff know pupils and their families well and relationships within the school community are strong. The school promotes a strong, caring and nurturing ethos that many parents praised.”
Ofsted April 22